1
And On The.... Umpteenth Day
Posted by Miz B
on
Friday, September 24, 2010
Well, this is it. I figured there were two ways this could go: either I kept trying to finish all three (now 4) of the very extensive and detailed posts about the more interesting things that have happened in..the last two weeks and let everyday events fall by the wayside, or I could assume that I would someday finish the interesting posts and actually put them and in the meantime, I might as well go ahead with normal, everyday stuff. Both seem to be slightly flawed ideas, but I am levelly certain the first one is the way to disaster, and so I went with mediocre idea number 2.
When the other posts are finally up, expect to see:
-Luchadores: the coolest thing since the taco!
-Rotary International helps stop world hunger: don't take Lay's for granted!
-Tuxtapec, Oaxaca: there are people in Mexico City who wish the exchange students would turn the music down!
-Hurricanes: blink and you'll miss it!
-Mexico turns old(er): the only time I will ever wear that much pink!
-And much, much more! (not really, but I figured I was rockin' a theme)
Anyway, life has progressed, much as life is wont to do. I learn, I grow, my hair apparently changes color overnight -seriously, it looks the same to me, but I took it out of it's ponytail at school and 6 people walked up to me and asked if I'd dyed it. I think the French teacher was the funniest. He's this really nice, multi-lingual guy who can't possibly be much older than 25 or so (please don't be annoyed if I'm wrong, I can't guess human ages worth a dime). One of the languages he speaks is English, but the way he talks has this sort of Mexican/French flair, kind of snooty with the Mexican (youths) love of random swearing. He looked at me over someone's shoulder and said "Oh my god, you dyed your hair!" I said no, and he said "Seriously, it looks so much better!". I said thank you and decided to take it as a compliment.
I finally got my books today. There was kind of a screw-up (I don't think I mentioned this) when they ordered books for the classes. Not only were they a teensy bit late (midterms start on Monday), but they ordered them last year, without the knowledge that they would have 3 extra students now. The problem is, I am relatively incapable of really learning anything without the ability to read or make notes, and since I can't understand most of what the teachers say, thereby making it impossible to write down and translate, the books had been my last hope. Unfortunately, Tuesday was a long, hot, stressful day and when I got told there were no books for me, after lunch, I am ashamed to say I basically, well, ran away and hid in the garden and cried for 1/2 an hour. It was either that or start screaming at someone, which wasn't really a good option since everyone understands enough English to tell when their being sworn at. I was just so frustrated. It was actually kind of a revelation, in a way, too. I know I like books, but I never really realized how much until I've been deprived of them for a significant length of time (same is true with the U.S., weirdly enough). I spent the rest of the day sullen and a little brutal, and most of the night too. I managed to get a break the next day when we went out to take some necessities to a flooded village (see Rotary above), and by Thursday I'd talked myself down. Turns out my reaction (i.e. turning into a normal American teenager instead of my usual, violently cheerful self), must have somehow greased the wheels though, because I was called to the office with one of my English fluent classmates as a translator (even though I can understand a lot if it's being said slowly, clearly, and directly to me, the teaching staff is still terrified to talk to us fereners' without backup, thereby ensuring we can do pretty much whatever the frick we want). A very confused administrator wanted to make sure I actually wanted the books, and did I know they were in Spanish, and why? After I clarified and assured her I actually did want them, she filled out some paperwork. I got called back to the office today and voila! Books. The other students, exchange and local, think I'm nuts. Especially when they found out my grades from this year are borderline useless and won't transfer anyway. I've sort of given up trying to explain. At least I'm getting used to the elementary school students on the other floors, who have a tendency to stare at me as I pass, like they're witnessing a sighting of the rare Albino Sasquatch.
The effect of The Books on my brain was a little frightening, in retrospect. Last week, I was wondering if I would actually be able to understand a teacher, any teacher, by the time I leave next year. Now, I find myself inadvertently making lesson plans. I'll completely skip midterms, which occur for the next two weeks (I'm not stupid, I know I can't answer essay questions in Spanish on topics I either don't know, or need re-familiarize myself with. Instead, I'll study like crazy, and have a go at turning in homework when the next quarter starts. I realized all I need to do is find out there is homework or reading, than do the answers in English, than translate them into Spanish (at least for the time being. I look forward to the day I can skip that middle step). I think the teachers are going to be so happy I am actually making an effort instead of falling asleep or looking at the wall that they won't care if it's relatively incomprehensible. Who knows, maybe some of them will help me correct my grammar! It's not like I don't have the time. I never thought I would get in trouble for NOT going to parties and staying out late. Oh well, I know what I like, and I'm not changing now to fit a social standard. Never have, hope to god I never will.
Note: If you're only reading this for present-day info about me or Mexico, you might as well stop here. The rest of this is relatively unstructured, stream-of-thought, and purely speculative, with no real impact on the present day. Read only if a)you know and care about me a LOT or b)you're terminally bored.
I also had kind of a punch in the chest about an hour ago. As some of you may know, although my plan is ever-evolving, I have had a pretty basic one for well over a year now. I wanted to finish this, what is technically my Senior year of high school, and than take a gap year before I go back into Parkland to finish enough credits to transfer to a 4-year university as a Junior. Well, I had my eye on a program for a while now, the NSLI-Y
. It's run by the government and basically works to send high schoolers to countries which America frequently comes into contact with but doesn't have enough people who speak it's language. I've wanted to learn Hindi for a long time, and India was one of the yearlong options. I would have just barely fit the age limit, but I was more than qualified. I've been waiting for months for the website to update so I could apply. Well, now it did, and they've changed the age limits. I'm now a whole year too old for the academic year program, and a mere month to old for the summer program. I was a little surprised by how upset I was. I never planned to get attached to this (never get attached to something which other people decide if you can get into. I learned this with Uni. And mom's cookie stash). I also have other options. For example, it's not unheard of for someone to do two Rotary scholarships in different countries back-to-back, and Rotary has a lot more variety (I also know they're a good program). They have both India (which is pretty difficult to get into) and Brazil, my other big choice (which is very, very easy). Although there are different age restrictions on all the countries and I can't remember which ones I'm actually eligible for. I think my only big problem with this is that I would most likely be repeating Senior year. Again. Not that I mind repeating, after all, in a way I'm repeating it right now, but there's a very certain atmosphere about high schools the world over that I really don't like. It's kind of like, there's no purpose. I think it's because they're mandatory in most places. You don't really want to be there, the other students don't really want to be there, even the teachers don't want to be there. Don't get me wrong, Errasquin (my school), is very nice, full of smart, hardworking people, not one of whom has said a mean word to me yet. But I have more than once found myself staring out the window and dreaming of Parkland. And if Parkland (and especially the classes I was taking) seem more hardworking and goal-oriented, than to me at least that's pretty bad. It hasn't been so bad here this week, since midterms and grades have got everybody in a productive hustle, but I kind of dread that big sigh-of-relief moment when the quarter restarts and everybody can take a breather. It makes me feel purposeless, stagnant. It makes my head hurt. I'm fairly certain I'm the only one. Anyway, the gap year thing with NSLI-Y was only language and cultural classes, and the rest of the time spent doing some sort of volunteer work. Mind you, who knows, that could have sucked too. But the thing is what if. What if I don't get a second Rotary scholarship? What than? My parents, god bless 'em, are all for finding another option, or trying to design a year long 'something' myself, but I'm not sure. There was a small part of me who breathed a sigh of relief when I saw that age limit thing, because now it's even odds. Before, it was virtually impossible that I wasn't going somewhere next year, and the part of me that has been sitting quietly next to the part that's been enjoying itself like crazy since it got here experienced a moment of horrible dread at the thought of 2 years in 2 different countries. This part of me is apparently really looking forward to getting back to my old life and continuing on as the new and different person I will be when I get home. I know, I know, I'm young, I should do it now, but there's another factor for me here: burn out and drive. I think if I try to take on too much at once I will burn out, while on the other hand, I have gained something I haven't had in years: drive. When I get back, the for lack of a better term mental ooze that has been pulling me under into plodding monotony is all gone. I'm looking forward to trying new things, learning new things, doing new things. The U.S. doesn't seem anywhere near as boring now that I've seen it from the outside. But I also don't want to give up this opportunity, this option to have 2 whole extraordinary years instead of one. So, here's what I think: I think I will apply for another year, with (if possible) either Brazil or India as my first destination choices (I haven't decided which). Ideal followups (not that I think I won't get one of those two, but if anything I've learned to expect the unexpected here. Last time around, my first choices were Denmark, Belgium and Germany. Mexico was added at number five as an afterthought! And look how happy I am here! I'm increasingly convinced I would not have done anywhere near as well in one of those three.), not in order, would be: Thailand, Costa Rica, Indonesia, Egypt (that one's not an option, but I still want to go), Australia (ditto), Spain, Denmark (I still like Denmark), Italy, or Argentina. If I get it, splendid! I get to go somewhere else and actually get another try at this amazing experience (I now believe every kid should have a mandatory year in another country before they can enter college, as a part of growing up, sort of like that thing the Amish do which I can't remember what it's called). When I'm done, I'll go home and get to work. If I don't get it, that's okay too. I'll go home and do the same things, but a year earlier. I don't think I'm going to set up for another contingency. I am really starting to like this only 2 plans thing. It's simple, like flipping a coin. Either way, I will have clear goals, without ooze.
As for those of you doubting the good-ness of the just-coming-home idea, never fear. I've found a couple things during the 3 hour free-period computer classes every Friday. A couple options I have been looking at that I either didn't bother to try in the past, never heard of, or dis-guarded as impossible but really aren't are:
-Field schools (somehow, I almost missed just how cool this could be. Wikipedia it!)
-Volunteering at the Spurlock on campus (I always ignored this one as either boring, or to much effort, but I am looking forward to trying when I get back!)
-Summer internships at the Field museum (I always thought only Grad students could do this, but it turns out people as young as 16 are not only allowed to volunteer behind the scene -which is where I want to work- but also to apply for special internships to work in specific areas for the summer)
-Volunteering or Interning at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. (now, this one is really out there, even for a professional-class dreamer like myself, but after I read the description for a volunteer summer position in the Collections Management Department as an assistant to help re-catalog the taxidermy-d bird archives -no prerequisites require to apply- I had to admit I would really like to give it a shot!)
Anyway, that's the sort of stuff I come up with when I have nothing to read!
I'll be going to Veracruz city for the weekend, so don't expect to hear from me at least until Monday. Expect hurricane-y disaster pictures when I get back!
When the other posts are finally up, expect to see:
-Luchadores: the coolest thing since the taco!
-Rotary International helps stop world hunger: don't take Lay's for granted!
-Tuxtapec, Oaxaca: there are people in Mexico City who wish the exchange students would turn the music down!
-Hurricanes: blink and you'll miss it!
-Mexico turns old(er): the only time I will ever wear that much pink!
-And much, much more! (not really, but I figured I was rockin' a theme)
Anyway, life has progressed, much as life is wont to do. I learn, I grow, my hair apparently changes color overnight -seriously, it looks the same to me, but I took it out of it's ponytail at school and 6 people walked up to me and asked if I'd dyed it. I think the French teacher was the funniest. He's this really nice, multi-lingual guy who can't possibly be much older than 25 or so (please don't be annoyed if I'm wrong, I can't guess human ages worth a dime). One of the languages he speaks is English, but the way he talks has this sort of Mexican/French flair, kind of snooty with the Mexican (youths) love of random swearing. He looked at me over someone's shoulder and said "Oh my god, you dyed your hair!" I said no, and he said "Seriously, it looks so much better!". I said thank you and decided to take it as a compliment.
I finally got my books today. There was kind of a screw-up (I don't think I mentioned this) when they ordered books for the classes. Not only were they a teensy bit late (midterms start on Monday), but they ordered them last year, without the knowledge that they would have 3 extra students now. The problem is, I am relatively incapable of really learning anything without the ability to read or make notes, and since I can't understand most of what the teachers say, thereby making it impossible to write down and translate, the books had been my last hope. Unfortunately, Tuesday was a long, hot, stressful day and when I got told there were no books for me, after lunch, I am ashamed to say I basically, well, ran away and hid in the garden and cried for 1/2 an hour. It was either that or start screaming at someone, which wasn't really a good option since everyone understands enough English to tell when their being sworn at. I was just so frustrated. It was actually kind of a revelation, in a way, too. I know I like books, but I never really realized how much until I've been deprived of them for a significant length of time (same is true with the U.S., weirdly enough). I spent the rest of the day sullen and a little brutal, and most of the night too. I managed to get a break the next day when we went out to take some necessities to a flooded village (see Rotary above), and by Thursday I'd talked myself down. Turns out my reaction (i.e. turning into a normal American teenager instead of my usual, violently cheerful self), must have somehow greased the wheels though, because I was called to the office with one of my English fluent classmates as a translator (even though I can understand a lot if it's being said slowly, clearly, and directly to me, the teaching staff is still terrified to talk to us fereners' without backup, thereby ensuring we can do pretty much whatever the frick we want). A very confused administrator wanted to make sure I actually wanted the books, and did I know they were in Spanish, and why? After I clarified and assured her I actually did want them, she filled out some paperwork. I got called back to the office today and voila! Books. The other students, exchange and local, think I'm nuts. Especially when they found out my grades from this year are borderline useless and won't transfer anyway. I've sort of given up trying to explain. At least I'm getting used to the elementary school students on the other floors, who have a tendency to stare at me as I pass, like they're witnessing a sighting of the rare Albino Sasquatch.
The effect of The Books on my brain was a little frightening, in retrospect. Last week, I was wondering if I would actually be able to understand a teacher, any teacher, by the time I leave next year. Now, I find myself inadvertently making lesson plans. I'll completely skip midterms, which occur for the next two weeks (I'm not stupid, I know I can't answer essay questions in Spanish on topics I either don't know, or need re-familiarize myself with. Instead, I'll study like crazy, and have a go at turning in homework when the next quarter starts. I realized all I need to do is find out there is homework or reading, than do the answers in English, than translate them into Spanish (at least for the time being. I look forward to the day I can skip that middle step). I think the teachers are going to be so happy I am actually making an effort instead of falling asleep or looking at the wall that they won't care if it's relatively incomprehensible. Who knows, maybe some of them will help me correct my grammar! It's not like I don't have the time. I never thought I would get in trouble for NOT going to parties and staying out late. Oh well, I know what I like, and I'm not changing now to fit a social standard. Never have, hope to god I never will.
Note: If you're only reading this for present-day info about me or Mexico, you might as well stop here. The rest of this is relatively unstructured, stream-of-thought, and purely speculative, with no real impact on the present day. Read only if a)you know and care about me a LOT or b)you're terminally bored.
I also had kind of a punch in the chest about an hour ago. As some of you may know, although my plan is ever-evolving, I have had a pretty basic one for well over a year now. I wanted to finish this, what is technically my Senior year of high school, and than take a gap year before I go back into Parkland to finish enough credits to transfer to a 4-year university as a Junior. Well, I had my eye on a program for a while now, the NSLI-Y
. It's run by the government and basically works to send high schoolers to countries which America frequently comes into contact with but doesn't have enough people who speak it's language. I've wanted to learn Hindi for a long time, and India was one of the yearlong options. I would have just barely fit the age limit, but I was more than qualified. I've been waiting for months for the website to update so I could apply. Well, now it did, and they've changed the age limits. I'm now a whole year too old for the academic year program, and a mere month to old for the summer program. I was a little surprised by how upset I was. I never planned to get attached to this (never get attached to something which other people decide if you can get into. I learned this with Uni. And mom's cookie stash). I also have other options. For example, it's not unheard of for someone to do two Rotary scholarships in different countries back-to-back, and Rotary has a lot more variety (I also know they're a good program). They have both India (which is pretty difficult to get into) and Brazil, my other big choice (which is very, very easy). Although there are different age restrictions on all the countries and I can't remember which ones I'm actually eligible for. I think my only big problem with this is that I would most likely be repeating Senior year. Again. Not that I mind repeating, after all, in a way I'm repeating it right now, but there's a very certain atmosphere about high schools the world over that I really don't like. It's kind of like, there's no purpose. I think it's because they're mandatory in most places. You don't really want to be there, the other students don't really want to be there, even the teachers don't want to be there. Don't get me wrong, Errasquin (my school), is very nice, full of smart, hardworking people, not one of whom has said a mean word to me yet. But I have more than once found myself staring out the window and dreaming of Parkland. And if Parkland (and especially the classes I was taking) seem more hardworking and goal-oriented, than to me at least that's pretty bad. It hasn't been so bad here this week, since midterms and grades have got everybody in a productive hustle, but I kind of dread that big sigh-of-relief moment when the quarter restarts and everybody can take a breather. It makes me feel purposeless, stagnant. It makes my head hurt. I'm fairly certain I'm the only one. Anyway, the gap year thing with NSLI-Y was only language and cultural classes, and the rest of the time spent doing some sort of volunteer work. Mind you, who knows, that could have sucked too. But the thing is what if. What if I don't get a second Rotary scholarship? What than? My parents, god bless 'em, are all for finding another option, or trying to design a year long 'something' myself, but I'm not sure. There was a small part of me who breathed a sigh of relief when I saw that age limit thing, because now it's even odds. Before, it was virtually impossible that I wasn't going somewhere next year, and the part of me that has been sitting quietly next to the part that's been enjoying itself like crazy since it got here experienced a moment of horrible dread at the thought of 2 years in 2 different countries. This part of me is apparently really looking forward to getting back to my old life and continuing on as the new and different person I will be when I get home. I know, I know, I'm young, I should do it now, but there's another factor for me here: burn out and drive. I think if I try to take on too much at once I will burn out, while on the other hand, I have gained something I haven't had in years: drive. When I get back, the for lack of a better term mental ooze that has been pulling me under into plodding monotony is all gone. I'm looking forward to trying new things, learning new things, doing new things. The U.S. doesn't seem anywhere near as boring now that I've seen it from the outside. But I also don't want to give up this opportunity, this option to have 2 whole extraordinary years instead of one. So, here's what I think: I think I will apply for another year, with (if possible) either Brazil or India as my first destination choices (I haven't decided which). Ideal followups (not that I think I won't get one of those two, but if anything I've learned to expect the unexpected here. Last time around, my first choices were Denmark, Belgium and Germany. Mexico was added at number five as an afterthought! And look how happy I am here! I'm increasingly convinced I would not have done anywhere near as well in one of those three.), not in order, would be: Thailand, Costa Rica, Indonesia, Egypt (that one's not an option, but I still want to go), Australia (ditto), Spain, Denmark (I still like Denmark), Italy, or Argentina. If I get it, splendid! I get to go somewhere else and actually get another try at this amazing experience (I now believe every kid should have a mandatory year in another country before they can enter college, as a part of growing up, sort of like that thing the Amish do which I can't remember what it's called). When I'm done, I'll go home and get to work. If I don't get it, that's okay too. I'll go home and do the same things, but a year earlier. I don't think I'm going to set up for another contingency. I am really starting to like this only 2 plans thing. It's simple, like flipping a coin. Either way, I will have clear goals, without ooze.
As for those of you doubting the good-ness of the just-coming-home idea, never fear. I've found a couple things during the 3 hour free-period computer classes every Friday. A couple options I have been looking at that I either didn't bother to try in the past, never heard of, or dis-guarded as impossible but really aren't are:
-Field schools (somehow, I almost missed just how cool this could be. Wikipedia it!)
-Volunteering at the Spurlock on campus (I always ignored this one as either boring, or to much effort, but I am looking forward to trying when I get back!)
-Summer internships at the Field museum (I always thought only Grad students could do this, but it turns out people as young as 16 are not only allowed to volunteer behind the scene -which is where I want to work- but also to apply for special internships to work in specific areas for the summer)
-Volunteering or Interning at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. (now, this one is really out there, even for a professional-class dreamer like myself, but after I read the description for a volunteer summer position in the Collections Management Department as an assistant to help re-catalog the taxidermy-d bird archives -no prerequisites require to apply- I had to admit I would really like to give it a shot!)
Anyway, that's the sort of stuff I come up with when I have nothing to read!
I'll be going to Veracruz city for the weekend, so don't expect to hear from me at least until Monday. Expect hurricane-y disaster pictures when I get back!
